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Benjamin Cates @bencates8

freelancer // fmr. reporter, columnist & editor with @newsadvance even walls fall down

Joined January 2013
  • Tweets 7,672
  • Following 795
  • Followers 1,199
431 Photos and videos
During state championship weekend I always wanna know #whereisgregory
Allen Gregory@Greg_BHCSports
Jun 11
Vhsl class 2 tennis: ridgeview clinches state title with 5-2 decision over bruton. #hcgtrn
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Here’s the anchor leg from Saturday, a look at Rustburg’s Alex Dunn. #LNApreps newsadvance.com/sports/high-…

Rustburg’s Dunn ends high school career on high note with two victories at Class 3 state track and...

Alex Dunn capped off a decorated career at Rustburg on Saturday, adding two more individual state titles to his collection and inspiring the next era of Red Devils athletes.

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Varina’s Imani Moore was lights out at the Class 4 state championships over the weekend richmonder.org/varina-freshm…

Varina freshman turns heads, wins titles at state track meet

Moore’s 100 and 200 times were the fastest in the state Saturday, better than any other girl who competed across the league’s six classifications.

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Back on the grind for a one-off with @LNAsports at the 3/4 #VHSL track championships. Story 1 of 2, so maybe it’s really a two-off? Is that a thing? #LNApreps newsadvance.com/sports/high-…

“We mean business": Heritage girls dominate to win fifth straight track and field championship

The Heritage girls continued their track dynasty at the Class 3 outdoor track and field state championships on Saturday, winning their fifth straight overall T&F title.

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Benjamin Cates retweeted
Garrison O. Brooks@gee__brooks
Feb 8
HEELS BIH!!!! 🐏🐏🐏
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Bryson Gordon@BrysonGordon
4 Oct 2025
Heritage coach Brad Bradley (@hhspioneersfb) celebrated a big milestone last night. His team’s statement win over Teejay was the 250th of his coaching career. “I feel like we have fun. We’re hard on them, but we have fun. And that’s what it’s all about.” newsadvance.com/sports/high-…

Heritage coach Brad Bradley earns 250th career victory

The Pioneers' 25-7 win over Thomas Jefferson gave Bradley the milestone victory at City Stadium.

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Friday was my final day at The News & Advance. Wish I didn’t have to go, but I’ve gotta hang up my spikes for now. Sending a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made #LNApreps land a wonderful place to work and live. newsadvance.com/news/local/a…

Cates: The Curtain Falls

I'm surrounded, for one last night at least, by newspapers.

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Ed Lane@FastLaneEdLane
18 Sep 2025
ICYMI: Virginia Tech Coaching Search @bencates8 on the beginning of District play @reneingoglia previews JMU vs. Liberty
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Halftime in Mount Airy: Jefferson Forest 27, Granite Bears 7 #LNApreps
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Final: JF 42, Mount Airy 7
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Ed Lane@FastLaneEdLane
10 Sep 2025
ICYMI: @bencates8 from News & Advance Is Brent Pry the Mike London of Virginia Tech? Plus Fan Feedback Listen and Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/.../the-f… Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/5WZBVi… YT: youtube.com/@VTRNSportsLynch… Soundcloud: on.soundcloud.com/qgWajo7HlL…
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Final at Appomattox: Raiders 16, Rustburg 14. Appomattox picks up first win of the ‘25 season #LNApreps
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Halftime, opening night at Brookville: Bees lead Appomattox 20-3 #LNApreps
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Final: Brookville 20, Appomattox 17
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Football teams from #LNApreps land are taking an unusual step this season. newsadvance.com/sports/high-…

To fill out schedules, area football teams turn out of state

Jefferson Forest turned south. Heritage High looked north. And Liberty Christian, unable to find enough opponents to fill out a 10-game, regular-season schedule, found a partial solution: Go west,...

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Along with the traditional game story available on our site, here’s a column on Appomattox pitcher @records_isaac and how he pitched the Raiders to victory. #LNApreps @VHSL_ newsadvance.com/sports/artic…

After Further Review: All Heart

If the final line could read down to the human core, it also would have included this: All Heart.

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Appomattox baseball defeats King William 3-1 to earn its second state title since 2022. #LNApreps @VHSL_
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For the late-nighters & early risers, here’s a column on Appomattox baseball’s extra-innings win in Friday’s state semis. First pitch from Salem is 9 am Sat. #vhsl @VHSL_ newsadvance.com/sports/high-…

After Further Review: Whatever it takes

They'll be talking about this win for a while in Appomattox. The stories will grow even more exciting should the team defeat King William in the state championship game, slated for 9 a.m. Saturday.

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Here’s a column about E.C. Glass’ basketball season after last night’s state semifinal loss: newsadvance.com/sports/high-… #LNApreps

After Further Review: Every Little Thing

They'd soon board a bus for the long drive back to Lynchburg. Leaving states once again without the desired hardware, but leaving with each other.

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Final from #VHSL Class 4 boys basketball semis: Atlee 69, E.C. Glass 55 #LNApreps
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